NIASPAN & flushing

When taking NIASPAN^® to treat your cholesterol, you may experience flushing. Flushing is a term used to describe a side effect that commonly occurs in patients who take NIASPAN. There are some simple tips that may help you manage flushing.

Flushing from NIASPAN most commonly occurs when patients begin taking NIASPAN or when their doctor increases the dose. The effect may lessen over time. By taking NIASPAN at bedtime, flushing will most likely occur during sleep.

Flushing is believed to be caused by an increase in blood flow and the expansion of blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. It has been described as a redness (or flush) of the skin, mostly on the face, neck, chest and back. Some patients describe it as warmth, itching, tingling, or dizziness. The symptoms and duration of flushing vary.

What you can do

If you are experiencing flushing or stomach upset from NIASPAN, consider these 4 simple tips that may help you:

1. Thirty minutes before you take NIASPAN, try taking a regular strength, 325 mg aspirin. Just check with your doctor first.
2. Avoid alcohol, hot beverages and spicy foods near the time of taking your medication.
3. Take your medication at bedtime; flushing will most likely occur during sleep.
4. If taking NIASPAN upsets your stomach, try taking it with a light, low-fat snack.

Keep these simple tips when taking NIASPAN with you as a reminder. Download and print our tips (PDF).

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What you should remember

Although flushing does not affect everyone in the same way, there are some things you should keep in mind.

• If you are experiencing flushing and need to stand, take your time.
• The flushing may lessen over time as your body adjusts to the medication.

Additional common side effects

Additional common side effects of NIASPAN include headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, increased cough, and itching. If you begin experiencing these side effects, contact your doctor. However, you should keep taking NIASPAN as prescribed unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. You should not stop taking NIASPAN without talking to your doctor first.

Please click here for additional Important Safety Information and Uses for NIASPAN and discuss it with your doctor.

Important Safety Information and Uses You Should Know About
NIASPAN^® (niacin extended-release tablets)

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

• NIASPAN is not for people with liver problems, stomach ulcers, serious bleeding problems, or those allergic to any product ingredient.
• Severe liver damage can occur when switching to a long-acting niacin (NIASPAN) from immediate-release niacin. All forms of niacin are not the same as NIASPAN. Do not switch between forms of niacin without talking to your health care provider.
• Tell your health care provider about any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, as this could be a sign of a serious side effect. This risk may be increased when NIASPAN is taken with lovastatin or simvastatin, particularly in the elderly, diabetics and those with kidney or thyroid problems.
• NIASPAN is associated with increases in liver enzymes. Your health care provider should do blood tests before and during treatment with NIASPAN to check liver enzyme levels. NIASPAN should be used with caution if you consume large amounts of alcohol.
• Tell your health care provider if you have kidney problems, or a history of gout. NIASPAN may cause an increase in uric acid levels.
• NIASPAN may cause an increase in blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels more frequently during the first few months or with NIASPAN dose changes.
• The most common side effects include flushing, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, increased cough, and itching.
• Flushing (warmth, redness, itching, and/or tingling of the skin) is a common side effect of niacin therapy that may subside after several weeks of consistent NIASPAN use. Flushing may vary in severity and is more likely to occur with initiation of therapy, or during dose increases. By dosing at bedtime, flushing will most likely occur during sleep. However, if awakened by flushing at night, you should get up slowly, especially if feeling dizzy, feeling faint, or taking blood pressure medications.
• If you are taking another cholesterol medication called a bile acid binding resin (e.g., colestipol) along with NIASPAN, take these medicines at least 4 to 6 hours apart.
• Some medicines should not be taken with NIASPAN. Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including aspirin, any cholesterol medication, blood pressure medication, or anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, or any products containing niacin or nicotinamide.

USES

NIASPAN^® (niacin extended-release tablets) is a prescription medication used along with diet when a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and other non-drug measures alone have been unsuccessful.

• NIASPAN raises HDL ("good") cholesterol and lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides in people with abnormal cholesterol levels.
• NIASPAN is also used to reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks in people with abnormal cholesterol levels.
• NIASPAN can be used in combination with lovastatin or simvastatin to improve abnormal cholesterol levels when taking NIASPAN, simvastatin, or lovastatin alone is not enough.
• In people with coronary artery disease and abnormal cholesterol levels, NIASPAN, in combination with a bile acid binding resin (e.g., colestipol), is used to slow down or reduce atherosclerosis, the hardening of coronary arteries due to plaque buildup.
• No additional benefit of NIASPAN on heart disease has been demonstrated when used with simvastatin or lovastatin over that shown for niacin, simvastatin, or lovastatin alone.

For more information, talk with your health care provider.

Please see full Prescribing Information for NIASPAN and discuss it with your health care provider.

Reference: NIASPAN [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: Abbott Laboratories

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you cannot afford your medication, contact: www.pparx.org or call the toll-free phone number 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) for assistance.